HARTFORD – State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) today announced the passage of a bill she proposed at the request of Wilton’s Board of Selectmen to extend the municipal revaluation deadline for the Town of Wilton by one year. The bill, HB 5181, was introduced by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee and passed overwhelmingly through both the House and the Senate during the legislative session that ended on May 9.

The Town of Wilton has been seeking an extension of its revaluation process due to the unexpected retirement of its former tax assessor.

“I am pleased to have been able to help Wilton with this important administrative matter,” said Rep. Lavielle. “Although the bill is straightforward, administrative matters like this can be overlooked during a busy legislative session, and it required a team effort by to make sure HB 5181 stayed on the radar in both chambers. First Selectman Lynne Vanderslice, Rep. Tom O’Dea, and Sen. Toni Boucher all helped to get it over the finish line. I also thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the GAE Committee and in both chambers of the General Assembly for understanding the pressing nature of this legislation and expediting its passage. Extending the deadline should help Wilton avoid penalties and accurately complete the revaluation process.”

Following the end on May 9 of the 2018 “short session,” I invite you to join my area colleagues and me for two events to discuss developments.

Rep. Fred Wilms & I are holding an informal coffee hour at the Norwalk Inn on Wednesday, May 16th, from 7am until 8:30am.

On Tuesday, May 29th, Rep. Wilms, Rep. Terrie Wood and I will hold a town hall forum at the South Norwalk Library from 6:30pm until 8pm.

Both events are opportunities for interested residents to meet with us and discuss developments following the 2018 legislative session, including updates to the state budget, legislation that became law, and other issues attendees would like to hear addressed.

I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions for how to improve our state and our community. If you are unable to attend, you can always contact me by email at gail.lavielle@cga.ct.gov or by calling 800-842-1423.

HARTFORD – Norwalk’s GOP delegation of State Representatives Gail Lavielle (R-143), Fred Wilms (R-142) and Terrie Wood (R-141) welcomed the passage of a bill to authorize state grant commitments for school building projects. The bill, SB 184, specifically allocates state funding to reimburse the City of Norwalk for projects included in the Norwalk Board of Education’s School Facilities plan.

The legislation appropriates $14,395,981 for expansions at Ponus Ridge Middle School. It also includes language for an unspecified grant for a new South Norwalk school at the site of the former Nathaniel Ely School site to be authorized when all land acquisitions for the site have been completed. Additional funding is reserved for various improvements at West Rocks Middle School and Norwalk High School.

Rep. Lavielle, in her capacity as Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Education Committee, is a member of the School Construction Project Priority List Committee and advocated for the inclusion of the Norwalk projects.

“Working in concert with Norwalk’s Board of Education, we were able to demonstrate to our colleagues in the legislature that Norwalk’s aging facilities and growing student population constitute a clear need for making these school projects a priority for the state,” said Rep. Lavielle. “The BOE’s School Facilities Plan outlines an exciting future for public school in Norwalk by addressing enrollment and enhancing academic options for students. I am pleased to have played a role in facilitating these school projects and securing funding from the state.”

Rep. Wilms has also collaborated with Norwalk officials to advance the strategic components of the School Facilities Plan at the state level, praising the “forward-looking” approach to education.”

“Working together with both the city and the Board of Education, I am delighted that state funding for these key school construction projects is moving forward,” said Rep. Wilms.

Along with her colleagues in the Norwalk delegation, Rep. Wood has also been a proponent of Norwalk’s receiving its fair share of Education Cost Sharing funding and noted the emphasis the school projects will have on science and technology education.

“These school projects represent such an exciting opportunity for the BOE to improve its school system and make Norwalk a destination for families who want their children to attain a first-class, 21st century education with an emphasis on science, math, and technology,” said Rep. Wood. “I will continue to push the state to support Norwalk in their educational endeavors and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Having passed both chambers of the General Assembly, the legislation now awaits signature by the governor.